Energy Auditing Training
Energy auditing represents a systematic approach to identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing energy conservation opportunities in building systems. Professional training in energy auditing equips HVAC technicians and engineers with the analytical tools and methodologies necessary to assess building performance, identify inefficiencies, and develop cost-effective improvement strategies. This specialized discipline combines field measurement techniques, data analysis, engineering calculations, and economic evaluation to deliver actionable recommendations that reduce energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.
ASHRAE Audit Levels
ASHRAE Standard 211 defines three distinct audit levels, each providing progressively detailed analysis and investment-grade accuracy. Understanding these levels allows auditors to match the scope and cost of the assessment to the client’s decision-making requirements.
Level I: Walk-Through Assessment
The Level I audit provides a preliminary energy analysis based on visual inspection, short-term measurements, and utility bill analysis. This assessment identifies low-cost operational improvements and obvious energy waste without extensive data collection or analysis. Auditors evaluate building envelope conditions, lighting systems, HVAC equipment age and operation, and control sequences during a site visit lasting 2-4 hours. Energy savings estimates carry an accuracy of ±30-40%, sufficient for identifying no-cost and low-cost measures. The deliverable includes a brief summary report with estimated savings, implementation costs, and simple payback periods for recommended measures.
Level II: Energy Survey and Analysis
Level II audits involve detailed energy analysis with disaggregated end-use breakdowns and engineering calculations. This assessment includes comprehensive utility analysis spanning 12-36 months, detailed equipment inventory with nameplate data, spot measurements of electrical demand and temperatures, and preliminary energy modeling. Auditors quantify HVAC system performance through delta-T measurements across coils, supply and return air measurements, and basic commissioning-level functional tests. The analysis identifies capital improvements with savings estimates accurate to ±20-30%. Economic analysis includes simple payback, net present value, and internal rate of return calculations. The report typically spans 30-60 pages with detailed measure descriptions, energy savings calculations, and implementation recommendations.
Level III: Investment-Grade Audit
Level III audits deliver the highest level of detail and accuracy required for major capital investment decisions. This assessment incorporates continuous monitoring over representative periods, calibrated energy models validated against actual consumption, detailed subsystem analysis with engineering calculations, and comprehensive cost estimation from contractor bids. Measurement protocols include multi-week data logging of temperatures, pressures, flows, electrical demand, and runtime for major equipment. Energy savings estimates achieve ±10-15% accuracy through rigorous modeling and validation. The deliverable includes detailed engineering drawings, specifications for recommended measures, financing analysis, and commissioning plans. Level III audits often exceed 100 pages and may take 2-4 months to complete.
Measurement and Verification Techniques
Accurate measurement forms the foundation of credible energy audits. Proper instrumentation and measurement protocols ensure that recommendations are based on actual operating conditions rather than assumptions.
Electrical Measurements
True RMS power analyzers capture voltage, current, power factor, and demand for motors, chillers, and distribution panels. Single-phase and three-phase measurements require different connection protocols. Data logging intervals of 15 minutes align with utility demand intervals. Current transformer sizing must match the load range: 100-400A loads require different CT ratios than 10-50A loads. Power quality measurements identify harmonic distortion and voltage imbalances that affect motor efficiency.
Temperature and Humidity Measurements
Type T thermocouples provide ±0.5°F accuracy for air and water temperature measurements. Calibrated data loggers with ±2% RH accuracy document space conditions and HVAC system performance. Delta-T measurements across cooling coils, heating coils, and heat exchangers reveal heat transfer effectiveness. Outdoor air measurement locations must avoid solar radiation and exhaust air contamination. Duct temperature measurements require averaging sensors in larger ducts (>24 inches) to account for stratification.
Airflow Measurements
Pitot tube traverses in ductwork following ASHRAE Standard 111 protocols provide ±5% accuracy for airflow verification. Rotating vane anemometers measure supply diffuser flows for ventilation rate verification. Hot wire anemometers capture low-velocity flows in laboratories and cleanrooms. Balometer hood measurements verify supply and return flows at grilles and registers. Flow station measurements at air handling units require straight duct runs of 7.5 duct diameters upstream and 3 diameters downstream.
Combustion Analysis
Portable combustion analyzers measure flue gas temperature, oxygen concentration, carbon monoxide, and combustion efficiency for boilers and furnaces. Steady-state efficiency calculations follow ASME PTC 4.1 protocols. Draft measurements identify venting problems and excessive stack losses. Continuous monitoring during multiple firing cycles captures efficiency variations under different load conditions.
Utility Analysis Methodology
Utility data analysis reveals consumption patterns, demand characteristics, and opportunities for rate optimization. Proper analysis requires understanding of rate structures, billing determinants, and normalization techniques.
Monthly consumption data spanning 24-36 months establishes baseline performance and identifies trends. Weather normalization using heating and cooling degree days isolates temperature-dependent loads from base loads. Regression analysis quantifies the relationship between energy use and outdoor temperature, with R-squared values above 0.85 indicating strong correlation. Change-point models identify the balance point temperature where heating or cooling begins.
Demand analysis examines peak kW values and their timing relative to utility demand windows. Load factor calculations (average demand divided by peak demand) identify inefficient demand patterns. Power factor evaluation determines reactive power charges and capacitor bank requirements. Time-of-use rate structures require hourly consumption data to optimize load shifting opportunities.
Fuel switching analysis compares the cost-effectiveness of electric versus gas heating or gas versus electric cooling. Life-cycle cost analysis accounts for equipment efficiency, fuel costs, demand charges, and equipment life. Economic thickness calculations for insulation upgrades balance insulation cost against energy savings over the measure lifetime.
Energy Conservation Measure Identification
Systematic identification of energy conservation measures requires understanding of building physics, HVAC system operation, and control strategies. Measures span no-cost operational changes to major system replacements.
HVAC System Measures
Chiller plant optimization includes condenser water reset based on wet-bulb temperature, chilled water reset based on building load, and optimal start/stop scheduling. Variable speed drive retrofits for constant volume pumps and fans reduce energy consumption by 30-50% through affinity law relationships where power varies with the cube of speed. Economizer repair and optimization provides free cooling when outdoor conditions permit. Boiler sequencing and staging matches capacity to load while maintaining high efficiency operation.
Building Envelope Measures
Air sealing at penetrations, door thresholds, and control joints reduces infiltration loads quantified by blower door testing. Window film application reduces solar heat gain coefficient from 0.8 to 0.4 for single-pane glass. Insulation upgrades in roofs and walls reduce heat transfer following R-value calculations. Cool roof coatings with solar reflectance above 0.65 reduce roof surface temperatures by 30-50°F.
Lighting and Plug Load Measures
LED retrofits reduce lighting power density from 1.2-1.5 W/ft² to 0.6-0.8 W/ft² while improving color rendering. Occupancy sensors in intermittently used spaces reduce runtime by 20-40%. Plug load controls eliminate phantom loads from computers, printers, and monitors during unoccupied hours. Server virtualization consolidates computing loads and reduces data center cooling requirements.
Reporting Standards and Documentation
Professional energy audit reports follow structured formats that communicate findings, recommendations, and economic analysis to diverse stakeholders. Reports must balance technical accuracy with accessibility for non-technical decision-makers.
The executive summary presents key findings, total savings potential, and implementation priorities in 1-2 pages. Building and systems descriptions document existing conditions with photos, equipment schedules, and control sequences. Energy use analysis presents utility data with graphs, regression analysis, and end-use breakdowns. Measure descriptions explain the technical basis, implementation requirements, energy savings calculations, cost estimates, and economic metrics. Implementation plans prioritize measures, identify interdependencies, and establish timelines. Measurement and verification plans specify monitoring protocols to confirm savings post-implementation following IPMVP protocols.
Professional energy auditors maintain calibration records for instruments, document measurement protocols, retain calculation worksheets, and archive utility data. Quality control procedures include peer review of calculations, validation of energy models, and verification of cost estimates against market rates.
Components
- Ashrae Level 1 Walkthrough Audit
- Ashrae Level 2 Energy Survey Analysis
- Ashrae Level 3 Investment Grade Audit
- Building Performance Institute Bpi
- Energy Audit Procedures
- Measurement Verification Protocols
- Energy Modeling Calibration
- Retrofit Measure Identification
- Economic Analysis Lcca